For those of us with busy lifestyles, keeping up on houseplants can be a lot of work. Many of them require a strict watering schedule, others need added humidity, and some are just plain finicky. While they bring warmth to a home, they can have the opposite effect if left to die. Enter: succulents. These interesting little plants are tough, low-maintenance, and ideal for those who don’t have time to dedicate to other plants. There are many different kinds of succulents, giving you a great variety to dot around your house. What exactly are succulents? They’re plants with fleshy thickened leaves. They can survive on very limited water sources, using their fleshy leaves to store extra moisture from rain or dew in the wild. They are often associated with cacti, but keep in mind that while all cacti are succulents, not all succulents are cacti.

Choose a Succulent, and then Re-pot It

How do you choose which succulents are best for your home? Most succulents need bright light to thrive, so if all you have is a darkened corner, you may want to check out our houseplant blog. Succulents need a very well-draining potting soil. Cactus mix is usually the standard go-to because it’s sandier than regular potting soil. Succulents and cacti are prone to rot if they’re left to sit in water. Re-potting a succulent as soon as you take it home is recommended because a lot of greenhouse succulents are potted in soil that holds too much moisture. Make sure the container you plant your succulents into has a drainage hole. Place your newly re-potted succulent in a sunny location, like a windowsill or near a south- or east-facing window.

Watering

It’s easy to over-water a succulent, so it’s crucial to let it dry out in between watering. Succulents are drought-tolerant. You can get away with under-watering your succulents since they store water in their leaves. Plus, under-watering can be fixed more easily than over-watering.

Fertilizing

Succulents should be fertilized at least once a year. They’ll benefit the most from fertilizer in the early spring, when the days are longer, and the late summer. There’s no need to fertilize them in the winter since most houseplants settle into a dormant period this time of year.

Types of Succulents

We’ve compiled a small list of the different types of succulents you can purchase to mix up the variety in your home. Some trail, some mound, and some will flower.

• Jade
• Kalanchoe
• Crown of Thorns
• Aloe
• Snake Plant/Sansevieria
• String of Pearls
• Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum or Echeveria)
• Burro’s Tail
• Living Stone